FORMER Nigeria boss Samson Siasia last night insisted making it at Celtic will be easy for Efe Ambrose after he battled back from major heart surgery.

The man who mentored the 23-year-old from youth football through to the national team revealed the harrowing background of the new Hoops star.

Siasia was boss of the Super Eagles Olympic side which lost to Argentina in the final four years ago with a line-up that included Ambrose in central defence.

But it is the youngster’s rise from poverty in the town of Kaduna to take his place at Parkhead and the promised land of Champions League football that has Siasia singing his former pupil’s praises.

He said: “Efe is like a son to me and I love him very much so I am delighted he will get the chance to play for great club like Celtic. He has not had an easy life.

“Nigerian kids are not rich, it’s a tough society and Efe has come from a poor background to achieve so much.

“You need to have real dedication to come through all that. Football is a way out of the problems and Efe has come through it.

“I have coached him with the Nigerian Under-20 side as well as the Under-23 team which played at the Olympics in Beijing.

“Before that he had a problem with his heart and had to go through surgery to get it corrected.

“The medical tests at clubs now are thorough and Celtic will have done all the checks so Efe has put all this behind him. It was a while ago now and it was a defect which was picked up so he has fought back from that and it says everything about his character.

“Some Nigerian kids are not disciplined and do silly things but he was never like that.

“He listened and tried to become the best player he could be. Moving to Celtic will help him develop as he will be working every day with better players.

“He has shown total dedication and played at the Under-20 World Cup Finals in Canada in 2007 as well as now being involved with the full national side so he has a good amount of experience.”

Ambrose has signed a three-year deal for Neil Lennon’s side after making the switch from Israeli outfit FC Ashdod and he arrives to add defensive strength.

But Siasia believes the Hoops fans will get more than they bargained for if they are expecting a player who prefers to do his best work at the back.

He said: “Efe is a central defender who can step forward and play in a holding midfield role.

“But he is always trying to move with the ball and dribble forward, which is exciting to watch, although sometimes his final ball should be better.

“That will improve at Celtic because he will learn from good coaches and the quality players around him.

“He’s strong and quick so he won’t be pushed around and I have no doubt the Celtic manager is adding a really good player to his squad.

“Efe is ready to play at the highest level in Europe. He has the mentality to have an excellent career in Scotland and I know from watching games on television that he will love his time at Celtic.

“Efe is as tough as they come, he won’t be pushed about and has a style which fans love as he never gives up.

“I have watched him grow and become a man so I am really pleased for him to get this move and I’m delighted to have played a part in his career.

“The sky is the limit for him now. He will hold his own at Celtic and go on to become a much improved player by adapting to the standards expected of him at such a massive club.

“He’s strong in the air and has the quality on the ball. He is still young so there is time for him to grow as a player.”

Former Aberdeen striker Danny Uchechi played alongside Ambrose for the Nigerian Under-23 side and endorsed the view that Celtic have signed a stopper who will make an impact this season.

He said: “It’s great to see Efe get this opportunity and he’s developed as a player who is now a full Nigerian international.

“He’s good enough to be a success at Celtic and he’ll fit it straight away with the rest of the players.

“He’s a good person and popular guy so he’ll have no problems settling into the dressing room. I have played with him and know his strengths well.

“The Celtic fans will appreciate his committed approach and his determination.

“He has a will to win which is what’s required at Celtic and he should be able to adapt to the SPL without any problems.

“It’s great to see another Nigerian player come to British football and I hope he does well. I’ll certainly be wishing him all the best for his life in Glasgow.”